Chapter 2401: Two Marriages
“In this Heaven Hunting Battle, the Undying Blood Clan ranks first. All participating cultivators are rewarded with the opportunity to enter the Ancient Relic Realm to select one Fate Treasure. Additionally, each cultivator may enter the Destiny Temple to cultivate for one hundred days.”
The cultivators of the Undying Blood Clan were all ecstatic.
To be able to enter the Ancient Relic Realm and obtain a Fate Treasure—even Great Saints were overjoyed.
A Fate Treasure, even if not used personally, could be sold for a sky-high price, exchanging for a large amount of Divine Stones. With Divine Stones, what couldn’t be bought?
As for the opportunity to cultivate in the Destiny Temple, it was something every cultivator in the Hell Realm dreamed of.
Feng Hou’s eyes shimmered with strange light as she thought to herself, “My Heavenly Fate Feather is a Fate Treasure from the Ancient Relic Realm. Now that my cultivation is higher, if I enter the Ancient Relic Realm again, I might find an even rarer treasure.”
“It’s said that even core disciples of the Destiny Temple need to perform great merits to qualify for a single day of cultivation there. But we can cultivate for a full hundred days—our mastery of the Path of Fate will surely advance greatly.”
“With this opportunity, I might even be able to condense a Gate of Destiny.”
“My Gate of Destiny can become even stronger!”
“Everyone, don’t get too excited. This is just the reward from the Destiny Temple. When we return, the rewards from the Undying Divine Temple, tribes, and clans will surely be even more generous. Haha!”
The cultivators of the Undying Blood Clan were swept up in celebration, feeling that all their efforts in the Heaven Hunting Battle had been worth it, finally reaping the rewards they deserved.
The cultivators of the other clans could only watch with red eyes and envy.
Fulu Shenzun’s voice rang out again: “The Yama Clan ranks second. All cultivators will each receive one King-grade Fortune Pill and the opportunity to cultivate in the Destiny Temple for one hundred days.”
The so-called “Fortune Pill” was said to enhance a cultivator’s luck when swallowed.
This kind of thing was mysterious and profound, but since the Destiny Temple openly bestowed it, it should have some effect. Whether or not it could truly boost luck, it could at least be treated as a blessing ritual. Perhaps it would increase the success rate when breaking through realms.
After all, after the Heaven Hunting Battle, those cultivators who had been stuck at the Great Perfection of the Hundred Shackles Realm would surely rush to break through to the Thousand Questions Realm.
Breaking through a realm was no simple matter.
“The Rakshasa Clan ranks third. All cultivators may enter the Destiny Temple to cultivate for one hundred days.”
Only the top three clans received rewards.
The cultivators of the Underworld Clan, Death Clan, Shura Clan, and others were both indignant and envious, hating that they had lost the Heaven Hunting Battle. Otherwise, all these benefits should have been theirs.
Wujiang spoke in a heavy tone, “Yan Huangtu and Luo Shengtian will likely receive countless rewards now. With those resources, their cultivation speed will skyrocket. I must redouble my efforts to ensure I don’t fall behind them.”
In Wujiang’s eyes, Yan Huangtu and Luo Shengtian were his true competitors.
Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen had performed brilliantly, but they were destined to spend a long time in the Hundred Shackles Realm, not only breaking shackles but also polishing their Sacred Intent.
Yan Huangtu, Luo Shengtian, and Wujiang had already accumulated enough depth. They would break through to the Thousand Questions Realm instantly and then continue advancing swiftly.
Whether Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen could catch up to them in realm was still uncertain.
If they fell a full major realm behind, no matter how brilliant they were, Wujiang was confident he could crush them.
“Feng Li.”
Fulu Shenzun called out this name, and Feng Hou, who had been waiting eagerly, perked up. She immediately stepped forward a few paces, knelt on one knee, and bowed her head, saying, “Greetings, Shenzun.”
Feng Li was just Feng Hou’s given name.
Her surname was “Yin Ze,” a major clan of the Yellow Heaven Tribe that ruled over a vast territory of secret realms, a very mysterious place within the tribal world.
Fulu Shenzun said, “I hereby declare you the Divine Maiden of the Destiny Temple, to oversee all affairs of the temple for the next millennium. Are you willing?”
Feng Hou suppressed the excitement surging within her and said, “Your disciple is willing.”
Success. She had finally succeeded.
From now on, she would ascend to the pinnacle of power in the Hell Realm, hailed as the foremost among those below the gods. Even Supreme Realm Great Saints and demigods would have to show her deference, and she could even stand on equal footing with some false gods.
The gods would not overly meddle in mortal affairs, and she would become the mortal sovereign of the Hell Realm.
What did it matter if Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen were peerless prodigies?
If they did not become gods, they would ultimately be beneath her.
What significance did Bore’s cultivation of the True Self Gate hold?
With her identity as Divine Maiden, she could obtain vast cultivation resources. She might not be unable to cultivate a True Self Gate herself. Moreover, her cultivation realm could advance by leaps and bounds, leaving Bore far behind.
If she wished, she could even use others to quietly eliminate Bore, removing this threat entirely.
“Becoming Divine Maiden, catching up to Wujiang, Luo Shengtian, Yan Huangtu, Lan Ying, and the others is only a matter of time. Then I’ll stand at the peak of this era, and I might even become a god sooner than them.”
Feng Hou was well aware of the immense resources a Divine Son or Divine Maiden of the Destiny Temple could mobilize, and she was filled with anticipation for her future cultivation.
“Zhang Ruochen!” Fulu Shenzun said.
Zhang Ruochen remained calm, walking to Feng Hou’s side and bowing respectfully, “Greetings, Shenzun.”
Feng Hou felt a flicker of displeasure. When she had greeted Fulu Shenzun, she had knelt on one knee, but Zhang Ruochen only bowed. By doing so, wasn’t he putting her, the Divine Maiden, in an awkward position?
What would the other cultivators think when they saw this?
Did Zhang Ruochen believe he was more honored than the Divine Maiden?
Feng Hou tried to stand, but as soon as she moved, a force as heavy as a star pressed down on her, pinning her in place.
It was divine might.
Kneeling was easy, but rising was difficult.
Especially when the Shenzun had not yet spoken; how could someone who had knelt possibly get up?
Of course, Fulu Shenzun was not deliberately holding her down. It was simply that, before he finished speaking, his invisible divine will suppressed her, preventing her from moving.
Fulu Shenzun said, “Zhang Ruochen, you performed exceptionally on the Heaven Hunting Battlefield, leading the Undying Blood Clan to first place, and even killing the Ten-Thousand Death One Life Realm Heaven Slave. You may receive the ultimate reward: thirty ten-thousandths of the Fate Essence and one Fate Heavenly Token.”
“Whoosh!”
“Whoosh!”
Two Fate Heavenly Tokens transformed into streaks of white light, flying toward Zhang Ruochen and Feng Hou respectively.
Zhang Ruochen reached out to grab it, but the moment his hand touched the token, it vanished.
No.
The token had rushed into his palm.
“Crackle.”
Dense white electric light enveloped Zhang Ruochen’s right hand, gradually receding.
On his palm, a character “令” (token) appeared.
The Fate Heavenly Token was condensed from the divine power of the twelve Shenzuns of the Destiny Temple, containing their Dao principles. No cultivator could forge it.
With the Fate Heavenly Token, Zhang Ruochen could enjoy a status as exalted as the Fate Divine Maiden, freely entering any secret realm of the Destiny Temple to cultivate.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen’s Fate Heavenly Token was different from the one Feng Hou had received.
Zhang Ruochen’s token was merely a symbol of identity.
But Feng Hou’s token represented supreme authority, like a divine right bestowed by the gods.
Fulu Shenzun did not continue discussing the Fate Essence. He said, “You may withdraw.”
Feng Hou felt the pressure on her body ease. She slowly stood up, regaining her noble and elegant posture. She glanced at Zhang Ruochen and subtly expressed her dissatisfaction, saying, “The Shenzun is the most powerful existence in heaven and earth. We should hold reverence in our hearts.”
“Mm.”
Zhang Ruochen acknowledged with a grunt and returned to the Undying Blood Clan’s camp before her.
Even if it were a Shenzun, he would not kneel.
In this world, there should be an unyielding backbone.
Fulu Shenzun said, “The Hell Realm’s current generation is filled with outstanding talents—Cosmic Divine Embryos, Half-Buddha Half-Gods, Imperial Dao Divine Bones, Ten Thousand Hands and Ten Thousand Eyes, Void Controllers… This is a great era of contention. I am moved to bestow two marriages.”
As the divine voice echoed out, it immediately sparked a clamor like a mountain roar and a tsunami, even greater than the uproar when Feng Hou became Divine Maiden.
A Shenzun personally bestowing a marriage, and in such a setting—what an honor and favor!
Without a doubt, those who received such a marriage would see their status in the Hell Realm rise steadily.
Luo Shengtian grinned and whispered to Luo Sha, who stood beside him, “The Shenzun personally bestows blessings once or twice a millennium, but personally bestowing a marriage has never happened before, has it?”
Luo Sha’s jade-like face was beautiful, her brows slightly furrowed. “It is indeed strange. Gods cannot interfere in mortal affairs, but bestowing a marriage on Saint-level cultivators is essentially a way of participating in the power struggles of the major factions. Fulu Shenzun has always been detached from worldly matters, neutral and moderate. Doing this likely has some deeper meaning.”
Luo Shengtian said, “I wonder who will be given in marriage?”
Luo Sha pondered deeply, then her eyes sharpened. “It’s not hard to guess. The ones worthy of the Shenzun’s personal attention for marriage are only a few: Que, Lan Ying, Yan Huangtu, Wujiang, you, and Zhang Ruochen and Yan Wushen. Could it be…”
Luo Sha’s slightly seductive eyes glanced at Zhang Ruochen in the distance, silently guessing. Could it be that Xue Jue War God personally asked Fulu Shenzun to bestow a marriage on Zhang Ruochen?
That possibility was very high.
After all, Zhang Ruochen had too many enemies in the Hell Realm. Without a Shenzun’s protection, it would be hard for him to grow.
Luo Shengtian followed Luo Sha’s gaze and said in surprise, “Him?”
“Most likely that guy. And the one given to him might be Yan Zhexian.”
Luo Sha’s heart inexplicably stirred with anger, irritation, bitterness, and some jealousy. Clearly, Zhang Ruochen was her destined person, so why was Yan Zhexian getting there first?
It was too unfair!
With a Shenzun personally bestowing the marriage, from now on, Yan Zhexian would surely be Zhang Ruochen’s lawful wife, with an irreplaceable status.
If she tried to approach Zhang Ruochen in the future, she would first face Yan Zhexian’s suppression and opposition, and it would become improper.
Luo Sha had not considered that she might be the one given in marriage.
Because of her special identity, her father was Emperor Luo Yan. He would never allow her to marry Zhang Ruochen. Even Fulu Shenzun, no matter how powerful, could not override her father’s will.
The ruler of a divine kingdom would never compromise or yield to anyone.
Luo Shengtian said, “Yeah, Zhang Ruochen really is a bastard. On the Heaven Hunting Battlefield, he even got Yan Zhexian pregnant. Only Fulu Shenzun’s marriage bestowal can calm the Yama Clan’s anger. A man like Zhang Ruochen—whoever marries him is in for eight lifetimes of bad luck. It’s a pity for Yan Zhexian, the Yama Clan’s proud daughter of heaven.”
Fulu Shenzun’s voice rang out: “Zhang Ruochen, Luo Sha.”
Hearing his name, Zhang Ruochen was not surprised. He had already guessed something like this might happen, but he hadn’t expected the one given to him to be Luo Sha. After all, in the eyes of many cultivators, he and Luo Sha had more enmity.
He had not only captured Luo Sha but also beaten her until she bled on the Merit Battlefield and killed countless Saint-level cultivators of the Rakshasa Clan.
If not for their cooperation on the Merit Battlefield, many cultivators would have thought their hatred ran deep.
How could Emperor Luo Yan agree to this marriage?
Zhang Ruochen dared not defy a Shenzun’s will. He stepped forward.
Luo Sha, hearing her name, was completely stunned. It was entirely beyond her expectations. Then, her snow-white, crystalline face could no longer hold its composure, breaking into a heart-stirring smile. She walked out with light steps.
Soon, she caught up to Zhang Ruochen, and they walked side by side.
Luo Shengtian stood frozen in place, as if turned to stone. Was Fulu Shenzun crazy, marrying his sister to that bastard Zhang Ruochen? After the wedding, how much suffering would his sister endure?
Zhang Ruochen had bullied Luo Sha many times… No, absolutely not. They could not be together.
Luo Shengtian took a step forward, but suddenly his body could not move, as if countless divine chains were wrapped around him. His mother’s voice echoed in his mind: “When a Shenzun bestows a marriage, who dares to defy it?”
“But Mother, we can’t just watch Sister jump into a fire pit, can we? Can’t Father stop the Shenzun?” Luo Shengtian said.
Tianyin’s voice sounded: “Your father and I have already agreed to this marriage.”
Luo Shengtian’s fury instantly extinguished, leaving him utterly disoriented.
Fulu Shenzun said, “I intend to bestow this marriage upon you two. Zhang Ruochen, are you willing to take the princess of the Tianluo Divine Kingdom, Luo Sha, as your wife?”
“I am willing,” Zhang Ruochen said.
As Tianyin had said, who would dare defy a Shenzun’s marriage bestowal?
Fulu Shenzun was bestowing this marriage before the entire Hell Realm. Anyone who defied his will and rejected his goodwill would face severe consequences—a thousand or ten thousand times more serious than refusing a mortal emperor’s marriage decree.
“Luo Sha, are you willing to marry Zhang Ruochen of the Blood Absolute Clan as your husband?”
Luo Sha’s red lips slightly pursed, a hint of shyness in her expression. “I am willing.”
Luo Sha was the goddess that countless proud sons of the Rakshasa Clan dreamed of marrying. Seeing her bestowed to Zhang Ruochen by Fulu Shenzun, their eyes turned bloodshot with mad jealousy.
Yet not a single one dared to step forward and oppose.
Bore stood among the crowd, gazing from afar at Zhang Ruochen and Luo Sha standing side by side—one handsome and heroic, the other ethereally beautiful, like a golden boy and jade girl.
A shadow of gloom appeared in her eyes. Her ten fingers dug into her palms, her heart aching as if twisted, but she quickly lowered her head, not wanting anyone to see her emotions.
Just then, Fulu Shenzun’s voice rang out again, calling: “Yan Wushen, Bore.”